BRIDGE TO PARIS and PONDICHERRY CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

A SLICE OF PARIS IN PONDICHERRY  

N.Nandhivarman

People of Indian origin who have become French nationals by option- it will be interesting to know about these people. When the French bid adieu to their former colony, Pondicherry, they were keen to protect the interests of their citizens. Hence they incorporated Article 8 in the Treaty of Cession of the French Establishments of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yenam signed on May 28, 1956.

Within six months of signing of this treaty one could choose Indian nationality. If so, they forfeited their French nationality. If the parents had accepted Indian nationality and son wants to revoke French nationality, he can opt for it. Husband and wife have freedom of choice individually in nationality matters. This article in the treaty had created a special category called French nationals of Indian origin. There is no difference in their day-to-day lives and cultural preferences but the nationalities tear them apart. Pondicherry has thus become a haven of French nationals in spite of having Indian citizens all around.

In Paris, the capital of France, there is a House for Tamils known as Paris Tamizhar Illam. ALL Tamils who live in France cannot forget their past overnight, so they celebrate Mahakavi Bharathiar’s anniversaries on alien soil, Pongal, the festival of harvest, is celebrated every year.

Keeping the cultural aspirations intact, Paris Tamizar Illam has set up a branch in Pondicherry. M.Karunanithi and his wife Rajam Karunanithi always play host to dignitaries from India while in France. In the few months they spend every year in Pondicherry this couple try to-do their best to mitigate the sufferings of their fellow kinsmen of Indian nationality.

 Speaking about their aims in France, this couple says, “we intend to raise a public auditorium in France for promoting Tamil Arts and Tamil Language and thereby serve the cause of developing Tamil society. “

 ”Every art needs encouragement and cultural preservation.  Therefore it is but natural for Paris Tamils to aspire to set up an auditorium for these purposes.

They also list out what Paris Tamilzhar Illam, the society headed by M. Karunanithi, has achieved all these years. In 1979 the Tamil Audio Visual society was started.

 For the first time in 1979 at Nander (France) Thiruvalluvar Tamil School, the first of its kind was started. After the French government gave permission to the French Brevet Examinations to study Tamil as an optional subject students could benefit out of such an exercise. The Paris Tamilzahar Illam has trained and sent 375 students for these exams.

Apart from these achievements, the conduct of functions and festivals to unite Paris Tamils had been a regular exercise for the Paris Tamizhar Illam.     

The founder of Paris Tamilzhar Illlam is a Periyarite, devout disciple of Periyar E.V.Ramaswamy, yet he celebrated the Mahakavi Bharathar Centenary with fanfare in 1981.

The then Chief Minister of Pondicherry, D.Ramachandiran, Education Minister Renuka Appadurai and PWD Minister Perumal Rasa had graced the functions by their presence.Not forgetting his mentor, M Karunanithi celebrated Periyar E.V.Ramasamy’s anniversary too.

Dravida Kazhagam General Secretary K Veeramani was the Chief Guest. Also K Kuppusamy, P Devasagayam and photographer Suba Sundaram accompanied K Veeramani on the tour to Paris.

While continuing with their hospitality, receiving every Tamil leader and artists in France, in Pondicherry too they have set up a branch of Paris Tamizhar Illam. This branch runs a Periyar EVR centre for Training Destitute women and has so for trained 38 women for government examinations.

Courtesy: New Indian Express: October 2 of 2004